A shop at the centre of a massive salmonella outbreak which left 88 people ill is to be prosecuted, it emerged today.

Derwentside District Council has started legal proceedings against Robson's Fresh Foods, of Front Street, Stanley, which was at the centre of the outbreak in July and August last year.

Among those infected in the outbreak was Brian Hume, 67, a former trucker who needed an operation to have part of his intestine removed.

Mr Hume, of North Road, Dipton, near Stanley, was one of nine people who needed hospital treatment after the outbreak, Durham's worst.

Health investigators said they could not be certain what caused the poisoning. However, a report to Derwentside Primary Care Trust said it is "highly likely" to have come from Robson's Fresh Foods in Stanley.

The shop was closed on July 29 last year following the outbreak.

Dr Deb Wilson, consultant in communicable disease control for Derwent-side Primary Care Trust, said the bug could have been fatal. She said investigators could not be certain what food caused the contamination, but admitted placing raw meat next to cooked meat was the most likely explanation.

Dr Wilson said the shop's proprietor Michelle Robson had co-operated fully with the investigation.

Although it was originally believed more than 100 people had been infected, the health authority's report puts the figure at 88 confirmed cases.

Today it was revealed Derwentside Council has launched formal proceedings under food safety and under health and safety legislation.

Mr Hume spent three weeks in the University Hospital of North Durham, where he had emergency surgery on his small intestine.

The retired lorry driver is believed to have become ill after eating a piece of chicken from Robson's Fresh Foods.

While he was in hospital Mr Hume's family kept his spirits up by appealing to his sense of humour. They even took in blow-up chickens to help him see the funny side of the situation.

Salmonella is caused by eating contaminated food, usually meat, or through close contact with an infected person or animal.